We are pleased to present the String Quartet in g minor by the Ukrainian composer Vasily (Vasyl) Barvinsky (1888-1963). He was born in the Ukrainian city of Ternopil (then known as Tarnopol and part of the Austrian-Habsburg Empire). He studied piano and composition at the Lviv Conservatory and afterward in Prague with Vizeslav Novak. He pursued a career as a composer and teacher, eventually becoming a professor at the Lviv Conservatory. His music occasionally shows the influence of Impressionism, but often relies on Ukrainian folk melodies. Minimalism also attracted him. He was not a prolific composer, and chamber music is not a large part of his oeuvre.
Barvinsky's String Quartet in g minor was composed in 1941. It is in four movements, and the themes in all of the movements are related. The opening movement is a theme and a set of three variations. The theme is presented as a Lento and is taken from a famous Ukrainian folk melody. The first variation continues in the same tempo, and the next is an Allegretto. The third variation, Andante, is the longest and has several different tempos and mood changes. The second movement is a short, light-hearted Scherzo. It has no trio section. Third is an Andante, clearly based on a folk melody which resembles the main theme of the first movement. The rousing finale is a boisterous, rustic dance.
This is an appealing work that can serve as a shorter concert program choice but can also be warmly recommended to amateurs. The parts were edited by senior editors Garik Hayrapetyan and Raymond Silvertrust. We wish to thank Stefan Hlouschko, who made a copy of the score available to us.